Not Peace, But a Sword

We aren’t used to thinking of discipleship the way that Jesus describes it here. Maybe you’re wondering if you heard Jesus right. Did he really say:

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34 (NIV)

We’re used to thinking of Jesus as the Prince of Peace. It’s a surprise that he talks about bringing a sword instead of peace.

Let’s address that first. Jesus does bring peace. He is the Prince of Peace. He has come to his creation to re-establish his reign on earth. He has come to win back the allegiance of all humankind.

Jesus’ rescue plan begins by living in harmony with his heavenly Father. He perfectly follows God’s best practices. He obeys all God’s instructions for righteousness and holiness – but his righteousness and goodness have a different flavour than the self-righteous goodness of the Pharisees.

His righteousness sets Jesus apart. Jesus’ goodness creates conflict w/ the Pharisees. It’s a theme in this week’s readings.

As the son of King David, Jesus is a king and holy warrior like his great-grandfather. Jesus has come to defeat sin and the evil one. As he began his rescue mission, Jesus confronts with Satan in the wilderness. Jesus didn’t fall for any of the temptations during that battle. He walked away with an early victory.

The big showdown happens at the cross. Evil forces throw everything at Jesus. The Jews reject him as the Messiah, the Son of David and demand that the Romans crucify Jesus. The Roman governor admits that Jesus is innocent, yet proceeds to have Jesus beaten, mocked, and hung on a cross until he dies.

In the darkness, Jesus is mocked and tortured. He took the guilt, the shame, and the punishment for all human wrong-doing. As a human, he stood in your place. B/c he is God, he could bear the punishment that would have crushed any other human. As a final indignity, after Jesus died, the Romans sealed Jesus’ grave shut. They locked him in the tomb.

But, 3 days later, Jesus burst out of the grave. He stands more alive and glorious than ever, victorious over sin and death and all the powers of darkness. The NT book of Revelation allows us to glimpse the scope of Jesus’ victory. Heaven celebrates:

They sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased for God

persons from every tribe and language

and people and nation.

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests

to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9–10 (NIV)

All of heaven sings about Jesus’ victory!

Armies of angels rejoice at the new identity of those who follow Jesus. All of his disciples are citizens of his kingdom. All of Jesus’ followers are priests and prophets and kings in the kingdom of heaven.

Although the victory has been won, the conflict b/t Jesus’ kingdom and those who persist in rebellion continues. In fact, all Jesus’ disciples face this conflict internally and externally. Internally: our own struggle to do right. Externally: how our efforts to follow Jesus causes friction w/ others.

Internally, we’re so accustomed and shaped by the culture and the way things are done around us that obeying God’s instructions for holiness is difficult. At times it’s confusing to know how to put God’s word into practice. It’s not only confusing, it’s difficult.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said

If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Matthew 5:40–41 (NIV)

Jesus’ instructions go against our instincts. Who does this?

Roman soldiers had the right to force people to carry their loads for 1 mile. So, you’re walking from Nazareth to Cana w/ bags of your personal stuff. A soldier from the occupying Roman army commands you to put down your bags, pick up his luggage and shield, and carry it 1 mile. Then you’re free to go back a mile, pick up your own stuff and walk that mile again.

Jesus says, “Don’t stop at one mile.” B/c you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, carry the Roman soldier’s luggage 2 miles, walk back 2 miles to get your stuff, then you’re free to continue to your destination. Are you cool with that?

A friend tried to wrap his head around Jesus’ command to give your coat to someone who sues you for your shirt:

Does Jesus mean, if someone takes my chainsaw, I should run and give him the carrying case and a jerrycan of mixed gas?

That describes our internal struggle to live as a citizen of his kingdom.

This is our goal: Jesus freed us from the kingdom of darkness to live as kings and priests in his service. We’re called to act like Jesus, to live as God’s dearly loved people. It means swimming against the current. Citizens of the kingdom of heaven march to the beat of a different drum than the rest of our culture.

In Matthew 10, Jesus speaks of the external struggle. There will be disagreements and tension b/t Christians who see things differently. There will be tension b/t Christians and those who do not yet have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

Jesus warns that allegiance to the kingdom of heaven will put you out of step with your neighbours and coworkers who aren’t yet followers of Jesus’. When your citizenship is different than your neighbours or your housemates, you’ll experience misunderstandings and conflict. We see this in minor things like your allegiance to sports teams. If you support the Toronto Maple Leafs, there’ll be rivalry w/ family members and friends who are Bruins fans. Hopefully it’s all in good fun.

The conflict is more significant w/ deeper allegiances: your core beliefs, your identity, and your sense of belonging as a citizen of Jesus’ kingdom, a child of God’s family, and a member of the body of Jesus Christ.

Imagine, a married couple. Bob has come to faith in Jesus. He wants to be a faithful follower of Jesus, a loyal citizen of the kingdom of heaven. His wife, Lana, is still skeptical about Jesus and his kingdom. One day they sit down to talk about finances.

“Lana,” he says, “I believe everything comes from God and belongs to God. I want to live as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. I’m determined to serve Jesus in every area of my life, including w/ our finances. So, sweetie, honeybun, darling, I want to start giving 10% of our net income to the church.”

How will the rest of that conversation will go? You think Bob’s determination to put God first cause conflict in their home?

Or a father and daughter are in business together. Daughter becomes a believer, but dad, not yet. Daughter says, “Pops, I don’t feel comfortable about something. I don’t think we should keep doing cash business under the table. As a believer, I need to tell the truth when I file with Canada Revenue.”

Or one guy to his college buddies, “Now that I’m a follower of Jesus, I don’t feel comfortable going to strip clubs w/ you anymore. It’s not respectful to the women who are made in God’s image, nor to God who loves each of the dancers dearly.”

Maybe the conflict is about Sunday services. If I want to be at worship service for 10 AM, that affects the whole household on Sunday morning as I get up, breakfast, shower and go. It affects your plans each Saturday night.

This is the conflict that allegiance to Jesus brings into our households, relationships, and businesses. Although citizenship in God’s kingdom is given freely, sometimes discipleship becomes costly. It’s in that context that Jesus says

Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37–38 (NIV)

We all face the challenge of following Jesus, even at the cost of misunderstandings and disagreements w/ family.

There is a lot on the line. Citizenship in Jesus’ kingdom will create conflict. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus observes:

It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! Matthew 10:25 (NIV)

It is not easy to be a follower of Jesus. But it is worth it!